Give support to American Red Cross

March 26, 2013

March is American Red Cross Month, and it's a good time to honor the everyday heroes who help in our communities.

The American Red Cross has, in its more than a century of existence, come to the aid of thousands upon thousands of people. And, yes, there are thousands of Red Cross administrators and volunteers across the nation, and the world who have saved the day time and time again in so many ways following disasters and emergencies.

Debbie Musser, administrative assistant for the Mahoning Valley branch of the Red Cross, said the local Red Cross chapter is participating with chapters across the nation in using the month to encourage support for the organization. Red Cross month was designated by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1943 to respond to the need for donations in World War II efforts and has continued every year since.

The local Red Cross is calling for volunteers for its Disaster Action Team. These are individuals who respond to local disasters such as fires or floods in the community.

The chance that you or someone you know has been affected by a fire or some other disaster, such as flooding, is great. Tragedies can and do occur, sometimes leaving victims injured, homeless or hungry.

Luckily, behind the victims of disasters stand the people of the American Red Cross. Long known for its blood drives and being on the scene of man-made or natural disasters, the American Red Cross has been steadfast in its mission to provide for victims in need.

But the Red Cross helps in other ways that many may not be aware of. It works with the military to relay messages about family illnesses, deaths, births and other emergencies, and the organization offers health and safety programs, including adult, infant and children cardiopulmonary resuscitation and First Aid instruction as well as lifeguard training.

We applaud the work of the many Mahoning Valley and Shenango Valley volunteers who give their time and talents and rededicate themselves year after year to help others through our local Red Cross chapters.

The American Red Cross has been providing comfort to victims in need for more than 100 years, and it's hard to imagine where America would be without it.